Karnaprayag (Chamoli) – Forest fires continue to affect several areas of Chamoli district, including Karnaprayag, Narayanbagad, Tharali and Simli, causing damage to forest resources and increasing concerns among residents.
On Friday evening, fires broke out in forests near Sundargaon and Eidabadhani, spreading smoke across nearby areas. Residents said the smoke has led to a rise in complaints related to eye irritation, breathing problems, allergies and viral infections.
Officials said the continuous forest fires since February have caused heavy damage to forest wealth in areas connected to Karnaprayag town. Fire that initially started in civil areas later spread into forest range areas, making firefighting operations difficult for forest personnel.
After the fires, wild animals have started moving toward residential areas in search of safer surroundings. Residents claimed that groups of monkeys have been entering different parts of the town and attacking children and elderly people during the day.
In Pindar Valley, forests behind Narayanbagad Inter College and areas under Tharali tehsil also witnessed fire incidents, causing damage to forest land. In Simli’s Nauli Nyay Panchayat area, fires continued to burn forests around Seragad, Gunad and Raigaon villages since Friday.
Villagers said the fire has damaged chir pine forests, fodder resources and kafal trees, while smoke continues to trouble nearby settlements.
Meanwhile, residents are also worried after a leopard was spotted near Panchpuliya on the route leading to Upper Bazaar from forests under the Dhanpur range. Morning and evening walkers frequently use the route.
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Forest Range Officer Naval Kishore said forest fires have forced wild animals to move closer to human settlements, and people should remain alert and cautious.
